Suffolk are held to a draw

July 30, 2025

SUFFOLK had to settle for a draw as Cambridgeshire batted throughout the third and final day of their NCCA Cluberly Championship Eastern Division One match.

The hosts, set an improbable 393 for victory, closed on 268 for 5 after 95 overs at Sawston & Babraham CC on Tuesday, with former Suffolk all-rounder Ben Claydon ending undefeated on 101.

Suffolk, who gave Championship debuts to Henry Bevan, Nico Boje, Alex Maynard and Kieran Pell, had dominated the opening two days after losing the toss and being put into bat.

Three 70-plus partnerships underpinned their first innings, which at one stage looked like it would secure maximum batting points, before ending on 299 for 9 after 90 overs.

Ben Parker, on his return to the side, top-scored with 90, narrowly missing out on what would have been only a second-ever century for the county.

Maynard (44), Jack Beaumont (40), Boje (33) and George Rhodes (27) all made useful contributions without going on.

After Chris Steele removed opposing skipper Wayne White with the first ball of Cambridgeshire’s reply, Matt Wareing took two wickets to leave the hosts 32 for 3 at the end of day one.

Suffolk’s ascendency continued the following day as Beaumont, aided by three slip catches from Rhodes, Steele and Wareing claimed three wickets apiece as Cambridgeshire were dismissed for 142.

Boje (40), Beaumont (38), Parker (30) and Rhodes (23) saw Suffolk strengthen their grip second time around, but despite a 350-run advantage they decided against declaring and trying to get a couple of early breakthroughs before the close.

Instead, the visitors batted on and Bevan blasted 24 from the final over of the day to end 64 not out (4 x 4, 4 x 6) off 69 balls as Suffolk posted 235 for 9 and the lead swelled to 392.

After losing opening partner Callum Guest for just a single, White made 60 out of 83 before being dismissed, and then Will Routledge (35 off 124 deliveries) and Claydon continued to frustrate Suffolk.

Suffolk’s bowlers beat the bat on countless occasions and had a couple of leg before decisions go against them which on another day would have found favour.

Two quick wickets raised Suffolk’s hopes, but Lee Thomason’s 57 off 108 balls saw Cambridgeshire to safety in a 103-partnership with Claydon, who followed his first innings 53 with a splendid century.

Debutant Maynard said afterwards: “It is difficult when you dominate the first two days in the way we did as you obviously want to make it count on the third day and get over the line with the win.

“Everyone is a little more tired on that third day and it is hard work to get good batters out and that’s what we found today as they batted exceptionally well and it’s frustrating, but that’s the way it goes.”

The result leaves Suffolk equal fourth in Eastern Division One on 15 points with Lincolnshire after their opening two matches ahead of facing Staffordshire at Copdock, starting on Sunday, August 10th.

Suffolk bowler Dan Shanks (right) and skipper Jack Beaumont (second left) are pictured above left frustrated after a leg before appeal against Cambridgeshire captain Wayne White is turned down.

Scorecard

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